The former counties of Nuremberg, Hersbruck and Lauf an der Pegnitz merged in 1972 to form the new Nürnberger Land county. From Ralf Hartemink's International Civic Arms website:

The arms were granted on October 1, 1974.

The upper part shows the small arms of the city of Nuremberg, which was also present in the three older arms. The lower part is a new symbol, and symbolises the formerly important water-mills in the Pegnitz river.